T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house the ukes were a-rockin’ along with the mouse. Today at the 3 Chord Club we rock Christmas by learning three classic rock Christmas songs by ear. Try playing along with that new ukulele waiting under your tree!

At the 3 Chord Club we choose three songs from a specific artist, label or genre of music that we’ll learn by ear. All the songs will contain three chords or less! Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear. Here’s a hint, most of the time the chords will be the I-IV & V or V7 chords. In the Key of C, that’s C-F-G or G7. Remember, the sound examples may be in various keys. As an added bonus, try to figure out the key of the recording.

Run, Rudolph, Run-Chuck Berry
(Hint: I-IV-I-IV-V-I chorus)

Merry Christmas, Baby-Bruce Springsteen
(Hint: I-IV-I-IV etc. until V-IV-I Key of G modulating to A at end)

Merry Christmas, I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight-The Ramones
(Hint: I-IV-V-I Bonus Chord Alert Chorus IV-iv minor & I-II-V-I at end)

Songs presented are for educational purposes only and used under the fair use doctrine of United States copyright law.